Updates, advisories and surprises

(4:25 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- H&R Block Inc.
HRB, -1.33%
reported late Wednesday an adjusted fiscal first-quarter loss of 40 cents a share, the same as a year ago and compared with analyst expectations of a loss of 39 cents a share. The tax preparer also reported sales of $134 million, 5% higher than a year ago and compared with expectations of sales at $130 million. A tax-season extension in Canada resulted in the higher revenues in the shoulder quarter, H&R Block said. Shares of H&R Block rose 0.8% in after-hours trading. The company typically reports a first-quarter loss due to the seasonality of its core U.S. tax business.

Helen of Troy shares set to open at 8-month low after profit outlook slashed

(9:08 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Helen of Troy shares
HELE, -0.63%
tumbled 12% in premarket trade Wednesday after the consumer and personal care products company lowered its full-year profit outlook late Tuesday, citing a weak retail environment. The company, which brands include Revlon, Vicks, Good Grips and Febreze, said it now expects adjusted per-share earnings of $3.70 to $3.80 for the current fiscal year, which ends Feb. 28, 2015, compared with the previous outlook of $4.30 to $4.40. The company said it saw particular weakness in its personal care business recently, especially in the more commoditized parts of its appliance business. "This has been compounded by the slower store traffic and softer mass market retail sales reported by some of our largest retail customers," said Chief Executive Julien Mininberg. Helen of Troy's stock, which has gained 20% year to date through Tuesday, is on track to open Wednesday at the lowest level seen since Jan. 14.

Altria affirms full-year profit outlook

(8:19 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Altria
MO, +0.00%
affirmed its full-year 2014 per-share profit outlook of $2.54 to $2.59. That represents growth of 7% to 9% over the tobacco company's 2013 profit of $2.38 a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet are expecting, on average, earnings of $2.57 a share. Altria, which brands include Marlboro and Skoal, will be presenting its financial goals and strategies at the Barclays Back-to-School consumer conference in Boston on Wednesday. Altria's stock, which closed Tuesday about 0.6% shy of its all-time closing high of $43.43 reached July 11, was still inactive in Wednesday's premarket. The stock has gained 13% year to date, compared with an 8.3% rise in the S&P 500.

Navistar loss narrows, but revenues remain flat in Q3

(7:37 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Truck maker Navistar International Inc.
NAV, -4.29%
said Wednesday it had a net loss of $2 million, or 2 cents a share, in its third fiscal quarter ended July 31, after a loss of $247 million, or $3.06 a share, in the year-earlier period. The FactSet consensus was for a wider loss of 82 cents a share. Revenue totaled $2.8 billion, flat versus the year earlier, but below the FactSet consensus of $2.956 billion. The company said income from continuing operations before taxes came to $21 million, compared to a $211 million loss a year ago, as improvements in warranty charges were offset by restructuring costs At the end of the quarter, Navistar had $1.1 billion in manufacturing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and is expecting to have between $1.0 and $1.1 billion at the end of the year after repaying debt. The company is expecting full-year EBITDA of $115 million to $165 million, excluding certain items. Shares were indicating higher in premarket trade and are up 0.8% for the year so far, while the S&P 500 is up 8%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises lowers 2014 sales, profit growth outlook

(7:16 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Coca-Cola Enterprises
CCE, -0.86%
said its full-year sales and profit growth will be at the lower end of previously-provided forecasted ranges, given a "challenging" market environment. On July 24, the bottler of Coca-Cola beverages said it expected 2014 year-over-year net sales and operating income growth in a mid-single-digit percentage range over 2013. The company still expects earnings-per-share growth of about 10%. Coca-Cola Enterprises will discuss its full-year plans and outlook at the Barclays Back-to-School Consumer Conference in Boston Wednesday afternoon. The bottler's stock was still inactive in premarket trade. Through Tuesday, it had gained 6.4% year-to-date, compared with an 8.3% rise in the S&P 500.

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